Monday, December 21, 2015

FALL ON YOUR KNEES

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Christmastime. When we celebrate and remember the birth of Jesus.
Jesus Christ, born to be our Savior. The Savior of the world, in fact.

Angels, messengers of heaven, were sent to announce His birth.
And to worship.But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. . . ." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests" (Luke 2:10-14).

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

Jesus lived a full life as a man. Crucified. Dead & buried. Rose again!
Lives at the right hand of God the Father. Interceding on our behalf.

Jesus said, "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades" (Revelation 1:17-18).

The angels are still announcing and worshiping this Jesus in heaven!
(Don't skip over this passage. Better yet, read it out loud!)

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.In a loud voice they sang:“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strengthand honor and glory and praise!”Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lambbe praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5:11-14)

Imagining this scene gives me chills! Ten thousand was their highest known number at that time, so the Apostle John is literally saying: angels beyond counting! Jesus, born in the manger, is the Worthy Lamb, to whom all worship is due.

A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!

Remembering the birth of Jesus, the incarnation, God-becoming-man, is important.But don't let your soul stop there.
Keep remembering: remember His life, death and resurrection.
Remember that He lives and reigns even now.
And remember-in-hope that Jesus will return again--to rule in justice and power.
He is the Conquering King.

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. . . . He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God (Revelation 19:11-13).

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!

So many sing the beautiful Christmas hymn "O Holy Night."
But do they know the weight of their words?
One day, all will indeed "fall on their knees" and acknowledge Jesus
--some in delight and some in dread.Jesus said, "Behold, I am coming soon!" (Revelation 22:7).

This Christmastime let your soul soak in the majesty and wonder of our

living, holy, just, powerful, and reigning JESUS.

Christ is the LORD!

* And the next time you sing "O Holy Night," try to imagine yourself joining the angels in heaven, praising the magnificent Lamb of God. He is standing in the center of the Throne and coming again soon to rescue and judge and rule!